Neil Warnock revealed he was delighted with referee Jonathan Moss for his part in Cardiff City's only goal against Southampton.

Moss waved advantage for the Bluebirds instead of whistling for a foul the build-up to Callum Paterson's second half strike, which proved to be enough for a 1-0 win for Warnock's side.

And after a hard-fought win over relegation rivals Saints, Warnock handed out some rare praise for an official, who had actually been subject to plenty of vitriol from Cardiff fans through the match.

"We say 'it's just another game' but when I woke up in the middle of the night last night, I realised it'd be a tough game today. It's great to be sat here with three points and I thought we deserved to to be honest," said Warnock reflecting on a fourth home win in five matches.

Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock celebrates the win at the end of the match (Image: Huw Evans Picture Agency)

"And it took a mistake to win the game.

"You know me, I criticise referees, but I don't think anybody other than Jonathan Moss would have given us an advantage like that.

"The way he didn't blow for the obvious free-kick there and Paterson got that little bit of luck.

"I've got to say a big thank you, I thought that was a fantastic advantage today."

Warnock also singled out goal scorer Paterson for praise, admitting he wasn't sure where the Bluebirds would be without the right-back-turned-striker.

Kenneth Zohore and Danny Ward missed the game through injury, with Gary Madine an unused substitute.

But the Scot's fourth goal of the season means Cardiff now move up to 14th in the table, having accrued 14 points from 16 matches.